Contour-lathe



E. J. KERNS.

CONTOUR LATHE- APPLICATION FILED OCT. 30, 12am Patented J 11110 24, 1919.

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CONTOUR LATHE.

APPLICATION FILED OCT. 30. 1911.

Patented June 24, 1919.

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CONTOUR LATHE.

APPLICATION mm ocr. so. new.

1 ,307 A199 Patented June 24, 1919.

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' E. J. KERNS.

CONTOUR LATHE. APPLICATION FILED OCT. 30. 1911'.

1 307,499. Patented June 24:, 1919.

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E. J. K-ERNS.

CONTOUR LATHE,

RPPLICATION FILED 06]. a0, 1911.

Patented June 24, 1919.

6 SHEETS-SHEET E. J. KERNS.

CONTOUR LATHE.

APPUCATION FILED act. so. 1911.

Patented J un 24; 1919.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 6.

EDWARD J. KERNS, 0F WORCESTER, MASSACHUSETTS.

CONTOUR-LATHE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented June 24, 1919.

Application filed. October 30, 1917. Serial No. 199,281.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, EDWARD J. KERNs, a citizen of the United States, residing at Worcester, in the county of Worcester and State of Massachusetts, have invented a new and useful Contour-Lathe, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to a lathe for turning irregular contours.

The principal objects of this invention are to provide a simple construction by which the work will be supported at varying heights by a carriage through the instrumentality of the model itself so that the work will be moved at all times with the model and will have the same relationship to the cutting device as the model has to its support means; to provide a simple, convenient, anti-friction means for supporting the carriage and permitting it to have its necessary traverse; to provide means for raising the carriage by hand so as to move the model up off its support and allow the carriage to be moved back and forth by hand; to provide a simple means for moving the carriage throughout the cutting operation and a simple means for imparting at all times a uniform motion of rotation to the model and work during the cutting operation; to provide a carriage of such construction that a plurality of cutting devices can be used on a corresponding number of pieces of work and all turned at the same time in conformance to the shape of a single model; to provide means whereby the automatic traverse of the carriage can be stopped so that the carriage can be moved my hand; to provide improved means for driving the work and the model simultaneously; to provide improved means for supporting the model and as many pieces of work as may be desired in an adjustable manner; to provide a rotary cutting device in the form of a saw for performing the turning operation; to provide means for sanding the work either simultaneously with the cutting or as a separate operation as may be desired; and to provide an arrangement suitable for turning cars or other irregular objects with a center rest of such a nature that the cutting saw can work directly in line with it without interfering with the'uniformity of the product.

The invention also involves improvements in various details of construction and combinations of parts for the purpose of facilitating the production of irregularly turned bodies as will appear.

Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a front elevation of a machine constructed in accordance with this invention, showing it as arranged for carrying one model and two pieces of work which are shown in position;

Fig. 2 is a plan of the same with the model and work removed;

Fig. 3 is a front elevation on enlarged scale of the means for supporting the adj acent ends of the model and work, and driving the same;

Fig. 4 is a plan of the same;

Fig. 5 is a sectional view on the line 55 of Fig. 2, and also just at the right of Fig. 4: looking toward Fig. 4 through the carriage, and showing the driving mechanism therefor in elevation;

Fig. 6 is a front elevation of one of the roller supports for the carriage;

Fig. 7 is a front elevation of one of the cutting saws and associated parts;

Fig. 8 is a plan of the same also showing the driving mechanism at the rear;

Fig. 9 is a sectional view on the line 99 of Fig. 2, showing the carriage traversing mechanism and other associated. parts;

Fig. 10 is a rear elevation of the same indicated by the arrow 10 in Fig. 9;

Fig. 11 is a front elevation of one of the saws and the sanding device adjacent thereto;

Fig. 12 is a transverse section of the same, showing the sanding device in elevation looking in the direction of the arrow 12 in Fig. 11;

Fig. 13 is a plan of a modified work support suitable for use in supporting the spoon end of an oar so as to be turned on this machine;

This invention is illustrated here in a' form designed for turning two struts simultaneously with the use of single model, although it will be understood that the inventioncan be used with simple mechanical modifications for turning only one article or a larger number from the same model.

In the form shown the machine is provided with a table 10 which constitutes the support for the whole machine. On this table is a plurality, threebeing shown in the drawings,of planing spots for supporting L-sliapedf brackets 11 adjustably. 'These brackets also have vertically adjustable supports 12 which carry supporting rollers 13 that are grooved so as to receive upon them a supporting rod 14, this rod being shown as cylindrical in form. This rod carries the main part of the longitudinally movable carriage shown in the form of a hollow cylinder 15. The members 14: and 15 are firmly secured together so as to move together at all times.

On the cylinder 15 is provided a flat surface having a longitudinal projection 16 for entering a corresponding depression in the under surface of the top of an arm 17. This arm can be adjusted along this surface. The arm 17 is located at a convenient point at a distance from each end of the machine, and when the machine is designed to carry two ieces of work and one model there are three single brackets, designated 17 which are similarly fixed on the cylinder and have one of the functions of the bracket 17, namely, to support center points as 18 for the work IV and the model M.

The bracket 17 is not of quite so simple construction as the other brackets because it supports driving mechanism as will appear. Itis provided with two arms having bearings 20 at its ends for a shaft 21 which is free to turn in these bearings. This shaft is provided with a hub 22 having bifurcated arms 23 which are provided with holding and adjusting screws 24 extending toward each other and gripping between them the tail 25 of a dog 26 which is fixed to the cylindrical end of the model M. As the hub 22 is fixed to the shaft 21 by a set screw or the like the model also is fixed to it, but adjustable circumferentially with respect to it. At the other end this-shaft 21 is provided with a center point 28 and fixed to it just back of the center point is a hub 29 having bifurcated arms 30 and screws 31 for engaging the cylindrical end of the blank W which constitutes the work. In this way the work also is securely but adjustably fixed to this shaft 21, and the work and model will have to partake of each others motion.

The other end of this right-hand piece of work W is supported simply by the center point 18. The other end of the model M can be provided with a fastening device like the one described to connect it with a shaft or rod, but it is shown as having an extension 21 which constitutes the equivalent of the shaft 21 and is supported by the'bearing on the end of one of the other arms 17. The other end of this shaft 21 is fixed to the other piece of work N by the arms 30 and the opposite end of the latter model is supported by the other center point 18.

On the table 10 is a bracket 35 which supports adjustably an L-shaped bracket 36, and this is provided with a support 37 movable vertically on it and adapted to be adjusted in vertical position and held by a screw 38. This is provided with a bearing at the top for a short shaft or stud 39 which carries a model supporting wheel 40. Inasmuch as the whole carriage consisting of the cylinder 15 and the arms 17 and 17 is capable of a swinging motion about the axis of the rod 14. as a center, it will be obvious that this idle supporting wheel &0 will control the position of the work at all. times to correspond with that of the model, and will let the frame down or at least the end of it carrying the work or raise it in accordance with the shape of the model.

On the bracket 17 is adjustably fixed an arm 12 which carries a wheel 13 at the bottom. This is for the purpose of supporting the free outer end of the carriage whenever it is not supported by the model and the Wheel &0. Oounterweights 41 are provided for taking some of the weight off the model and wheel 40 in the ordinary operation of the device.

On the brackets 17 are supported two pairs of rods 45 in fixed position with re spect to the brackets 17. On these are springs 46 which support a pair of yokes 47 having bearings for a shaft 18 which carries a pulley 4C9. A belt 50 which runs over this pulley is held down by idlers 51 so as to have a long contact with a front pulley 52 fixed to the shaft 21, and-the table. By the rotation of the drum 53 the shaft 21 therefore is rotated. The springs hold the belt taut and prevent vibration.

On the tops of the rods 45 are a pair of plates 56. These plates carry a yoke 57 fixed with respect to them, and this yoke carries a hand screw 58 which operates a block 59 under the top of the yoke 57. When it is desired to move the carriage back by hand this block is screwed down on the top of the belt 50 and pulley 4-9 so as to depress the pulley and loosen the belt on the drum. Then the carriage'can be run back and forth by hand along the table while the belt is not running. A guide roll 55 is mounted on the carriage to engage the edge of the belt 50 and move it along the drum.

The drum 53 is driven from a countershaft, not shown, and a driving pulley 60 on a shaft 61. This shaft is provided with a pinion 62 which meshes with a gear 63 fixed with respect to the drum 53 and drives it directly. The pinion also meshes with a gear 64 on a shaft 65 which is provided with a worm 66 driving a worm wheel 67 loose on a hollow shaft 68. This worm wheel is provided with a clutch section 69 fixed to it and through the shaft 68 passes a rod 70 having a complementary clutch section 71 fixed on its end and pressed away from the clutch section 69 by a spring 7 2. On the end of the shaft 68 is a hand wheel 73 by which this shaft 68 can be turned, and on the end of the rod 70 Within this hand wheel is a handoperated cam 74 for holding the rod 70 in its retracted position, as shown in Fig. 9. This can be turned so as to allow it to be released and to allow the spring 7 2 to hold the clutch sections open.

This shaft 68 is mounted in bearings 75 extending up from the table and upon it is fixed a sprocket 76 which carries a chain 77 having fixed to it by screw and thumb nut 78 a hanger 79 that is securely fixed to the hollow cylinder 15. It will be obvious, therefore, that when the cam 7 a is in the position shown in Fig. 9, the cylinder 15 and in fact the whole carriage will be moved in the direction of the arrow in Fig. 1 by power, but that when the clutch section 71 is released the carriage can be moved back and forth by hand.

On a shaft 80 there is another driving pulley 81 receiving power from a countershaft not shown. This shaft also has a pair of pulleys 82 each of which drives a saw pulley 83 on a saw shaft 8 1. These two shafts 8a are mounted to run in anti-friction bearings 85 supported by the table, and each shaft is provided with a saw 86. These saws are of the same diameter as the supporting wheel 40 and the shafts 84 are in exact alinement with the stud 39 on which this wheel 40 is mounted. It will be seen, therefore, that always each saw 86 has the same relation to its piece of work as the wheel 10 to the permanent model M, and whatever the shape of this model the respective saws will produce on the work. These saws are shown in the form of cutters formed of a single piece of sheet metal bent to shape with a continuous toothed helical cutting edge, as is indicated most clearly in Figs. 7 and 8.

In addition to cutting the work out with the saws, I can, either simultaneously or by a subsequent operation on the same machine, smooth them up by sanding or the like. As

the sanding surface cannot run as fast as the saws, I prefer to accomplish that result by using an entirely difierent drive, and for this purpose I have shown a driving pulley .90 on a shaft 91 driven from an independent countershaft, not shown. This shaft is provided with two pulleys 92, each one of which drives a sand belt 93 over idlers 94 supported in convenient position and over a pulley or sand wheel 95 loosely mounted on the saw shaft 8%. In this way the sand belt can be driven at a different speed, but the sanding operation will be performed immediately subsequent to the cutting operation if that is desired. It will be understood, of course, that the sand wheel 95 with the addition caused by placing the sand belt upon it will be the same diameter as the model wheel 40.

I In Figs. 13, 14c and 15, I have shown certain features for use in turning an oar 0 instead of a strut such as is shown in the other figures. In this case most of the machine is the same, but if the machine were of the same length as shown in the other figures only one oar could be produced upon it at one operation. But the shaft 21 is used and a head 96 which is fixed on this shaft 21 is provided with an extending flange portion 97 to be secured to the spoon of the oar O, and this is the way in which this end of the oar is supported. It will be understood, of course, that the model, not shown, is provided with a similar surface but of greater thickness than the flange 97 so that the saw will not touch the flange 97 in operation. This is because the spoon of the oar is, by my preferred method, cut out in the blank before it is applied to this machine and only the back is turned on this machine together with the entire shank and handle.

As the oar is so long I provide a center rest, as shown in Fig. 15, supported by a support 100 which is also illustrated in Fig. 8. This support carries a member 101 which has three adjustable brackets 102 each carrying a roll 103. They engage the shank, which at that point is turned before the blank is applied to this machine, and sup port it at points above its bottom so that the saw 86 can operate right through at this point although the oar is supported here.

Although I have illustrated and described only a few modifications of the invention shown in the main set of drawings, I am aware of the fact that other modifications can be made therein without departing from the scope of the invention as expressed in the claims. Therefore I do not wish to be limited to all the details of construction herein shown and described, nor to the particular applications thereof, but what I do claim is- 1. In a contour turning machine, the combination of a table, a longitudinally movable carriage thereon capable of a trans verse motion for supporting the work and a model, a freely rotatable adjustable wheel on which said model rests for supporting one edge of the carriage for controlling the transverse position thereof, a cutting saw located in the same position relative to the work as said model supporting wheel, said carriage having a pair of arms provided with bearings spaced apart, a shaft carried by said bearings, a rotary elongated drum mounted on fixed bearings parallel with the longitudinal axis of the carriage, a pulley fixed to said shaft, a belt 011 said pulley and drum, a belt tightening pulley on said carriage, and adjustable means supported by said arms on the carriage for engaging the belt where it passes over the tightening pulley and relieving the tension of the belt on the drum.

2. In a contour cutting machine, the combination of a series of grooved rollers arranged in alinement, a rod having a cross section fitting the rollers and resting thereon and capable of moving longitudinally upon them, a cylinder attached to and sup ported by said rod, a series of arms carried by said cylinder and projecting laterally therefrom and adapted to support a model and the work in aliuement parallel with the axis of said cylinder, rotary means for supporting the model, and means for operating on the work.

3. I11 a contour turning machine, the combination of a carriage for supporting the work and the model, a cutting device, a shaft carried by said carriage, a hub on each end of the shaft having arms provided with adjusting and fastening screws extending toward each other for engaging the ends of the model and the work'respectively, a dog on the model extending between one set of screws, whereby the model will be adjustable circumferentially and positively secured to said shaft, a center point between arms for centering the work, and means for driving the shaft.

l. In a contour turning machine, the combination of a table having a longitudinal supporting surface, a carriage pivotally mounted thereon and capable of a transverse motion parallel with said supporting surface for supporting the work and a model, means on which said model rests for supporting one edge of the carriage and controlling the transverse position thereof, a cutting device located at all times in the same relative position as said model supporting means for operating on the work, a roller carried by said carriage adjustably at a distance from the pivot extending below the same and adapted to rest on the table when the model support does not engage the model but normally held up out of contact with said supporting surface by said support.

5. In a contour turning machine, the com bination of a table, a carriage pivotally mounted thereon and capable of a transverse and longitudinal motion for supporting the work and model, means on which said model rests for supporting one edge of the carriage and controlling the transverse position thereof, a cutting device, a freely rota table roller carried by said carriage at a distance from the pivot extending below the same and adapted to rest on the table when the model support does not engage the model, a rotary drum, a belt drive for rotating the work from said drum, and means on said carriage for loosening the belt so that the carriage can be moved along on said roller when the drum is not running.

6. In a contour turning machine, the combination of a table, a carriage mounted thereon for supporting the work and model, a cutting device, said carriage having uprights extending therefrom, springs on said uprights, bearings supported by said springs, a pulley carried by said bearings, means connected with the pulley for rotating the work and the model, a yoke extending upwardly from said uprights, and means carried by said yoke adapted to press down on said pulley.

7. In a contour turning machine, the combination of a longitudinally movable carriage capable of a transverse motion for supporting the work and a model, a cutting device, said carriage having a pair of arms provided with bearings, a shaft carried by said bearings, a,rotary elongated drum parallel with the longitudinal axis of the carriage, a pulley fixed to said shaft, a pair of rods extending up from said carriage, springs on said rods, a yoke supported by said springs, a belt tightening pulley on said yoke, a fixed plate on said rods, means supported by said plate for engaging the pulley and pressing it down in opposition to said springs to loosen the belt and permit the carriage to be moved longitudinally and a pair of idlers on the carriage for engaging the belt and driving the first named pulley from the drum.

8. I11 a contour cutting machine, the combination of a series of rollers in alinement, a rod resting thereon and guided thereby and movable longitudinally upon them, a longitudinal cylindrical member secured to the top of said rod and movable therewith, said member having a top surface provided with a longitudinal projection, an arm having a depression for receiving said projection and resting on top of said cylindrical member and having a part extending down around the edge thereof and engaging the cylindrical member near the bottom to secure saidarm at the bottom and top' to said cylinder, and means supported by sald arm vice said carria e havm a air of arms 7 D 2:

provided with bearings, 'a shaft carried by said bearings, a hub on each end of the shaft having armsextending toward each other for engaging the ends of a model and the work respectively, the model having a dog thereon for connection with said arms, whereby the model and work will be positively' secured to said shaft, and capable of relative radial adjustment, and means for drivin the shaft.

10. n a contour turning machine, the combination of a table, a longitudinally movable carriage thereon capable of a transverse motion for supporting the work and a model, means on which said model rests for supporting one edge of the carriage for controlling the transverse position thereof, a rotary cutting device located in the same relative position as said model supporting means, movable flexible means adjacent to said cutting device for smoothing olf the work immediately after it is cut and at the same operation and a rotary support for said smoothing means located in axial alinement with said cutting device and of substantially the same radius.

11. In a contour turning machine, the combination of a table, means arranged longitudinally thereof for supporting a carri'age, a carriage movable longitudinally along said supporting means and pivotally mounted thereon and extending therefrom transversely, the transversely extending portion of the carriage having means for supporting a model and the work, a model support for engaging the model and holding the carriage up, a rotary cutting device located in longitudinal alinement with said support for operating on the work, a wheel loosely mounted with respect to the cutting device and axially in alinement therewith, and a sand belt running over said loose wheel adjacent to the cutting device for smoothing the work as it is cut.

12. In a contour turning machine, the combination of a table, means arranged longitudinally thereof for supporting a carriage, a carriage movable longitudinally along said supporting means and pivotally mounted thereon and extending therefrom transversely, the transversely extending portion of the carriage having means for supporting a model and the work, a model support for engaging the model and holding the carriage up, a sand belt for smoothing the work, and a rotary support for the sand belt located in the same relative position'as said model supporting means.

13. In a contour turning machine, the combination of a table, a longitudinally movable carriage thereon capable of a trans verse motion for supporting the work and a model, means on which said model rests for supporting one edge of. the carriage for controlling the transverse position thereof, movable means for smoothing off the work, comprising a sand belt, and a rotary support for the belt at the point at which it engages the work.

141-. In a contour turning machine, the combination of a carriage pivotally mounted and capable of a transverse motion for supporting the work and a model, means on which said model rests for supporting one edge of the carriage for controlling the transverse position thereof, said carriage having bearings at its free edge, a shaft supported by said bearings, means connected with the opposite ends of said shaft for positively engaging with the model and the work, a pulley on said shaft, a sand belt passing over said pulley for smoothing the work, and an independently driven pulley engaging said belt for operating it, one of said pulleys being located in position to form a firm support for the sand belt where it engages the work.

15. In a contour turning machine, the combination of a carriage for supporting the work and the model, a cutting device,

a shaft mounted on the carriage, a hub on one end of the shaft having arms provided with screws extending toward each other for engaging the end of the model, adjusting and fastening it to the shaft, a model, and a dog on the end of the model extending between said screws whereby the model can be adjusted cireumferentially and positively secured to the shaft.

16. In a contour turning machine, the combination of a carriage pivotally mounted and capable of a transverse and longitudinal motion for supporting the work and model, means on which said model rests for supporting one edge of the carriage and controlling the transverse'position thereof, a

cutting device, a rotary drum, a belt drive for rotating the work from said drum, and means on said carriage for loosening the belt so that the carriage can be moved longitudinally when the drum is not running.

17 In a contour lathe, the combination of a rotary cylindrical drum, a longitudinally reciprocable carriage adjacent thereto, a shaft carried by the carriage and having means for connecting and rotating a model and the work, a rotary saw for operating on the work, a pulley on the shaft, a belt for driving the pulley from the drum, and yielding means for holding the belt taut shaft carried by the carriage and having means for connecting and rotating a model and the Work, a rotary saw for operating on the Work, a pulley on the shaft, a belt for driving the pulley fronr the drum, and a 10 fixed my signature.

EDWARD J. KERNS.

In testimony whereof. I have hereunto af- 15 Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressingthe Commissioner of Patents,

7 Washington, D. C. 

